Multimillion Dollar Projects Launched at U.S. Embassy

But the ambassador was present for a groundbreaking ceremony to commence a pair of multimillion dollar projects on the U.S. Embassy compound held this morning in Belmopan.  Over the next two years, a new Marine Security Guard Residence will be built on the site at an estimated cost of twenty-two million U.S. dollars.  Additionally, the embassy will be implementing three energy conservation measures to improve the building’s existing automated systems, upgrade the lighting to LED technology and the installation of a pair of solar panels.  The project will see an injection in the local economy through the employment of up to eighty Belizean laborers.

Carlos Moreno, U.S. Ambassador

“We at the embassy are delighted that through the Department of State we’ve been authorized to commence the construction of a Marine Security Guard facility here.  We have not had one here heretofore.  The project will encompass about a little over twenty million dollars in construction expenses.  It will have a component of marines here, I’m not sure of the exact numbers, I think maybe seven or nine and this is something that Congress has authorized worldwide following the attacks in Benghazi.  So we’re very happy to have that kind of security in Belmopan, you know, one might think that in Belize it’s not the Middle East but it certainly, we all have to be security conscious and I think this will improve and enhance our sense of security here in Belize.”

Carlos Moreno

Isani Cayetano

“Can you reiterate the economic impact that the injection of twenty-two and a half, well twenty-five million U.S. dollars, will have on Belize and the immediate area?”

Carlos Moreno

“My understanding is that at least for the Marine Security Guard component there will be upwards of eighty local Belizeans employed and their will be a local Belizean subcontractor sort of handling that aspect of the program.  You have to imagine that when you have that many employees and workers, whether they are American or Belizean, in the local economy it has what’s known as an economic ripple effect for those individuals, for their families, for the businesses that service those individuals and the ripple effect goes on and on.  So whereas the initial amount may be substantial, once you have a multiplier effect it does have an impact on the economy and I know there are a lot of construction projects going on in the country and this is just yet another one, another contribution by the United States government to help the economy of Belize as well.”